The Results Of Our 3rd Annual Poll Are In, And The People Have Spoken! From Food To Fun, People To Projects, We’ve Cataloged Your Favorite Parts Of Living In The Oklahoma City Metro And Surroundings Plus Thrown In Our Two Cents With Our Editors’ Choice Winners. Majority Rules In This Fair Democracy, So Without Further Ado, Your Winners …
Good Eats & Drinks
Editors’ Choice
Best Decadent Indulgence
Kaiser’s Sundae
1039 N Walker Ave, OKC 73102 | 405.232.7632 | kaisersdiner.com
A mountain of whipped cream and a cherry or two make sweetly appealing additions, but the foundation for this whopper of a classically delicious treat is the homemade ice cream. Pick your favorite flavors and augment them with elements like a soft brownie, chunks of ground Oreos, rich hot fudge, raspberry sauce … with the “create your own” option, a vast array of tempting options are your building blocks. The result can fill diners of any age with childlike glee, and not to sound shallow, but: sometimes bigger is better.
Most Anticipated New Neighbor
FlashBack RetroPub
814 W Sheridan Ave, OKC 73102
Last we heard, this ’80s-themed bar is set to open in May; several of us are already stockpiling quarters in preparation. Because the place will offer more than a robust beer selection (including local brews), full bar, rotating assortment of primo food trucks and a soundtrack that should be thoroughly radical (it might even be gnarly to the max); FlashBack will house a fairly massive suite of old-school arcade-style video game cabinets – Asteroids, Dig Dug, Street Fighter II, NBA JAM and the like. If the promise of a beer and some pixelated mayhem after work sounds tempting, we’ll probably see you there. Just remember: We call dibs on Captain America and the Avengers.
Best New Restaurant
Fassler Hall
421 NW 10th St, OKC 73103 | 405.609.3300 | fasslerhall.com
Your mileage may vary on this one if you’re a vegetarian; otherwise there’s plenty to grab your interest at this Haus of German deliciousness. Try a warm, soft, buttery pretzel with a killer gouda sauce and sinus-clearing mustard, move on to sample a variety of exceptional house-made sausage (we were especially enamored of the Hunter, a mix of smoked venison, pork and buffalo) or the perfectly prepared schnitzel sandwich, wash it all down with a good selection of imported Bier – we had pilsner, dunkel and hefeweizen – and see whether you don’t feel better about life. The cheerful, wood-paneled Midtown gathering place even has a great soundtrack, and since location is key, bear in mind there’s a bowling alley in close proximity.
Readers’ Choice
► Best locally owned coffee shop
Cuppies & Joe
727 NW 23rd St Oklahoma City, OK 73103
405.528.2122
cuppiesandjoe.com
► Best milkshake
Braum’s
16 locations in the metro
braums.com
► Best spot for cocktails + conversation
O Bar at Ambassador Hotel
1200 N Walker Ave Okahoma City, OK 73103
ambassadorhotelcollection.com/oklahomacity/
► Best brewpub (Tie)
Republic Gastropub
5830 N Classen Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73118
405.486.4577
republicgastropub.com
Bricktown Brewery
3 locations in the metro
bricktownbrewery.com
► Best Local Craft Brewery
Coop Ale Works
4745 Council Heights Rd Oklahoma City, OK 73179
405.842.2667
coopaleworks.com
► Best wine bar
Bin 73
7312 N Western Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73116
405.843.0073
bin73.com
► Best dive bar
Edna’s
5137 N Classen Cir Oklahoma City, OK 73118
405.840.3339
ednasokc.com
► Best breakfast
Jimmy’s Egg
10 locations in the metro
jimmysegg.com
► Best weekend brunch
Cheever’s
2409 N Hudson Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73103
405.525.7007
cheeverscafe.com
► Best workday lunch (Tie)
Café 501
5825 NW Grand Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73118
405.844.1501
cafe501.com
Café 7
2 locations in the metro
405.748.3354
cafe7okc.com
► Best any-day lunch
Revolve Pizza Kitchen
5500 W Memorial Rd Oklahoma City, OK 73142
405.792.2858
revolvepizza.com
► Best casual dinner
Charleston’s
6 locations in the metro
ehsrg.com/charlestons/home
► Best fine dining
Ranch Steakhouse
3000 W Britton Rd Oklahoma City, OK 73120
405.755.3501
ranchsteakhouse.com
► Best desserts
La Baguette
3 locations in the metro
labaguettebistro.com & labaguette.com
► Best food truck
Big Truck Tacos
405.525.8226
bigtrucktacos.com
► Best al fresco dining
Redrock Canyon Grill
9221 Lake Hefner Pkwy
Oklahoma City, OK 73120
405.749.1995
ehsrg.com/redrock/home
► Best spot for a romantic date
Vast
333 W Sheridan Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405.702.7262
vastokc.com
► Best late-night eats
IHOP
5 locations in the metro
ihop.com
► Best hole-in-the-wall
Nic’s Grill
1201 N Pennsylvania Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
405.524.0999
► Best out-of-business restaurant you wish would make a comeback
Nonna’s
► Best burger
S&B’s Burger Joint
3 locations in the metro
sandburgers.com
►Best barbeQue
Earl’s Rib Palace
6 locations in the metro
earlsribpalace.com
► Best pizza
Hideaway Pizza
6 locations in the metro
hideawaypizza.com
► Best seafood
Pearl’s
5641 N Classen Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73118
405.848.8008
funfresh.com/pearls-oyster-bar
► Best steak
Cattlemen’s
1309 S Agnew Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
405.236.0416
cattlemensrestaurant.com
► Best sushi
Sushi Neko
4318 N Western Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
405.528.8862
sushineko.com
► Best vegetarian (Tie)
Coolgreens
5 locations in the metro
coolgreens.com
Red Cup
3122 N Classen Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73118
405.525.3430
theredcupokc.com
► Best ethnic restaurant
Zorba’s
6014 N May Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405.947.7788
zorbasokc.com
Diversions
Editors’ Choice
Best Civic Project We Can’t Wait to See Finished
Riversport Rapids
725 S Lincoln Blvd, OKC 73129 | boathousedistrict.org
The state-of-the-art RIVERSPORT Rapids whitewater rapids and kayaking center beckons us to throw caution to the wind and go with the flow in 2016. While other MAPS 3 projects like new sidewalks and a streetcar line have great utility, they lack the adrenaline-fueled, heart-racing appeal of a bracing splash of water in your face. The addition to the Boathouse District is under construction now in a $45+ million effort, bringing a world-class training facility combined with a fun family-friendly endeavor to the shores of the Oklahoma River.
Best Outing for Three Generations to Share
OKC Dodgers Game
2 S Mickey Mantle Dr, OKC 73104 | 405.218.1000 | OKCDodgers.com
Some of my most treasured childhood memories are of the summer evenings when my grandpa would take me and my brothers to an ’89ers game at the Fairgrounds. We’d have stadium footlongs, ice cream or soft drinks, and when we invariably got tired of sitting in the stands to watch the game, we’d retire to the grassy hill behind the outfield where tag was a perfectly acceptable game-time pursuit for those small fries with short attention spans. It’s time for a new generation to make those memories at a game of the recently renamed OKC Dodgers at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Best Workday Rabbit Hole
OKCTalk.com
www.okctalk.com
Keeping abreast of the latest developments around the metro is an integral part of the job, and even if it wasn’t, the content on the fascinating OKCTalk.com would suck us in. A quick visit to the site will plug you into a network of local aficionados who make it their mission to know what’s going down. Sometimes the discussion gets heated, as any online forum with healthy attendance does, but it’s all part of the experience. The only problem with the site is that it’s just too interesting to stop at just one look … one thread leads to another, then another, and before you know it, two hours have passed and your original pursuit is long forgotten.
Readers’ Choice
► Best art gallery
IAO Gallery
706 W Sheridan Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405.232.6060
iaogallery.org
► Best museum
Oklahoma City Museum of Art
415 Couch Dr
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405.236.3100
okcmoa.com
► Best cultural event
Festival of the Arts
April 21-26, 2015
artscouncilokc.com
► Best performing arts venue
Civic Center Music Hall
201 N Walker Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405.297.2584
okcciviccenter.com
► Best theater company
Lyric Theatre
1727 NW 16th St
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
405.524.9312
lyrictheatreokc.com
► Best dance company
Oklahoma City Ballet
7421 N Classen Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
405.843.9898
okcballet.com
► Best public festival
Festival of the Arts
April 21-26, 2015
artscouncilokc.com
► Best charity event
OKC Memorial Marathon
April 26, 2015
okcmarathon.com
► Best live music venue
Chesapeake Energy Arena
100 W Reno Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405.602.8700
chesapeakearena.com
► Best casino
Grand Casino Hotel & Resort
777 Grand Casino Blvd
Shawnee, OK 74804
405.964.7777
grandresortok.com
► Best movie theater
Warren Theater
1000 S Telephone Rd
Moore, OK 73160
405.735.9676
warrentheatres.com
► Best sporting event
OKC Thunder Basketball
► Best excursion with kids
Oklahoma City Zoo
2101 NE 50th St
Oklahoma City, OK 73111
405.424.3344
okczoo.com
► Best excursion for adults (Tie)
Grand Casino
777 Grand Casino Blvd
Shawnee, OK 74804
405.964.7777
grandresortok.com
Boathouse District
725 S Lincoln Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK 73129
405.552.4040
boathousedistrict.org
► Best place to spend a lazy Saturday
Home
► Best tourist attraction
Bricktown
bricktownokc.com or welcometobricktown.com
► Best in-town hotel
Skirvin Hotel
1 Park Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405.272.3040
skirvinhilton.com
► Best in-town B&B
Arcadian Inn
328 1st St Edmond, OK 73034
405.348.6347
arcadianinn.com
► Best romantic getaway
Artesian Hotel
1001 W 1st St
Sulphur, OK 73086
855.455.5255
artesianhotel.com
► Best in-state getaway
Beavers Bend State Park
435 OK-259A Broken Bow, OK 74728
580.494.6300
beaversbend.com
Gotta Love Those Okies
Editors’ Choice
Best Up and Coming Musical Act
Horse Thief
Sharing a far more ethereal and shimmering sound than their down-and-dirty name would suggest, Horse Thief (Cameron Neal, Alberto Roubert, Cody Fowler, Zach Zeller and Alex Coleman) has Texas roots but came together as a band right here in OKC under the tutelage of ACM@UCO. 2014 was a banner year, considering that they played over 200 shows in 9 different countries and released their first full-length album “Fear in Bliss,” but we wouldn’t mind seeing the psych-tinged indie rockers steal a bit more of the music scene spotlight – catch their set in the Norman Music Festival April 24 and hear why for yourself.
Best Performance in the Face of Injury
Russell Westbrook
Get it? Because he BROKE HIS FACE and only missed one game while blazing through an MVP-caliber season despite leading a lineup of walking wounded, including last year’s MVP KD. This is a man who had his third knee surgery less than a year and a half ago and is still one of the fastest players in the NBA; who broke his hand at the beginning of this season and is still among the league’s premier ball-handlers; who shrugged off a nickel-sized dent in his cheek to rack up a 4th straight triple-double (a feat not done since 1989, by a fella named Michael Jordan). Called things like “inhuman,” “half-man, half-rocket ship” and “Point Godzilla,” we’ve seen him carry the team time and again by sheer force of will, and win or lose he rarely fails to amaze.
Readers’ Choice
► Best elected official
Mayor Mick Cornett
► Best humanitarian
Kevin Durant
► Best entrepreneur
Aubrey McClendon
► Best nonprofit organization
Infant Crisis Services
4244 N Lincoln Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405.528.3663
infantcrisis.org
► Best leader of a nonprofit
Miki Farris, Infant Crisis Services
Shopping
Editors’ Choice
Best Satisfied Rumor (Maybe)
Trader Joe’s coming to OKC
Are they or aren’t they? Yea or nay? It seems like the last time a chain rumored to open got this much traction, we ended up with the long-awaited, much-revered Whole Foods in Classen Curve. Now, another grocery may (or may not) be settling in to the loving bosom of our arms just a few blocks north. A Tulsa location has been confirmed by TJ’s management and it seems OKC is not far behind, if the rumors are to be believed. Let’s all cross our fingers …
the Cookie Butter is running low.
Best Browsing of Curated Collections (Tie)
All-Star Comics
6900 N May Ave, OKC 73116 | 405.842.7800 | allstarcomicsokc.com
All-Star Comics is a favorite for comic and graphic novel enthusiasts to explore the wall-to-wall offerings. From the latest superhero fresh from the big screen and collector’s back issues to action figures and interesting t-shirts, you can find something that needs to come home with you on every visit with Norman and his staff.
Sara Kate Studios
1100 N Broadway Ave, OKC 73103 | 405.625.7744 | sara-kate-studios.myshopify.com
If your predilection runs more to feathering your nest, head downtown where globe-trotting shop-mistress Sara Kate fills her eponymous space with items big and small amassed during her travels. Walking through the store is a feast for the senses, and it’s a challenge to know where to start. High-quality vintage, antique, quirky, unique, interesting finds, textures, smells … all have a place here. Plan to take some time to meander and let your mind wander through the possibilities.
Reader's Choice
► Best antique store
23rd Street Antique Mall
3023 NW 23rd St
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
405.947.3800
antiques23.com
► Best bookstore
Full Circle Bookstore
50 Penn Place
1900 Northwest Expy Oklahoma City, OK 73118
405.842.2900
fullcirclebooks.com
► Best bike shop
Schlegel Bicycles
900 N Broadway Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405.232.4040
schlegelbicycles.com
► Best auto dealership
Bob Moore Auto Group
15 locations in the metro
bobmoore.com
► Best furniture store
Mathis Brothers Furniture
3434 W Reno Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
405.943.3434
mathisbrothers.com
► Best jewelry
BC Clark Jewelers
3 locations in the metro
bcclark.com
► Best grocery store
Crest
8 locations in the metro
crestfoodsok.com
► Best home accessories
Mister Robert Fine Furniture & Design
109 E Main St
Norman, OK 73069
405.321.1818
misterrobert.com
► Best florist
New Leaf Florist
2 locations in the metro
newleafflorist.net
► Best baby boutique
Green Bambino
5120 N Shartel Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
405.848.2330
green-bambino.com
► Best women’s clothing
Five & Company
335 S Mustang Rd Suite F
Yukon, Oklahoma 73099
405.494.7405
fiveandcompany.com
► Best men’s clothing
Dillard’s
3 locations in the metro
dillards.com
► Best clothes for the kids
Uptown Kids
5840 N Classen Blvd #3
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
405.418.8881
uptownkidsstyle.com
► Best gift store
Blue 7
7518 N May Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
405.604.5199
myblueseven.com
► Best shoe store
Metro Shoe Warehouse
2 locations in the metro
metroshoewarehouse.com
► Best vintage store
Bad Granny’s Bazaar
1759 NW 16st St
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
405.528.4585
► Best fitness center
YMCA
17 locations in the metro
ymcaokc.org
► Best personal trainer (Tie)
Jonathan Bolding, Zone 4 Fitness
5500 W Memorial Rd,
OKC 73142
405.246.9663
Scott Do, Do It Rite Fitness
10964 N May Ave,
OKC 73120
405.286.0454
► Best yoga studio
Soul Yoga
8028 N May Ave #110
Oklahoma City, OK 73120
405.242.4157
► Best family doctor
Dr. Robert Stepp, Deaconess Family Care
11101 Hefner Pt Rd, Ste 105
Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405.751.5555
deaconessphysicians.com
► Best family dentist
Dr. Nathan Guilford Toothbrusher’s Dental
4534 NW 50th St,
Oklahoma City, OK 73122
405.789.6935
toothbrushers.com
► Best Cosmetic Dentist
Dr. Jeff Baggett
200 N Sooner Rd # B,
Edmond, OK 73034
405.341.8884
jeffbaggettdds.com
► Best cosmetic surgeon
Dr. Tim Love
405.751.5683
drtimlove.com
► Best Hair Stylist & Colorist
Chad Taber
Salon W
7304 N Western Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
405.608.0692
► Best Makeup Artist
Sharon Tabb
► Best Barber
Jason Sims
Choppers Hair Design
6748 NW 39th Expressway Bethany, OK 73008
405.789.2432
► Best Salon
Salon W
7304 N Western Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
405.608.0692
► Best Spa
Cottonwood Salon & Spa
35 E 33rd St Edmond, OK 73013
405.340.1700
cottonwoodsalonspa.com
► Best Mani/Pedi
Polished Nail Salon
2 locations in the metro
polishednailsok.com
► Best Massage
Revel8
201 NW 10th St. Suite #125,
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
405.702.1688
reveleight.com
► Best Facial
Polished Nail Salon
2 locations in the metro
polishednailsok.com
► Best Vet (because pets matter)
Midtown Vets
231 NW 10th St,
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
405.606.4477
midtownvets.com